Historic Bridges in Colorado

857 bridges built before 1951 in Colorado still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 857 bridges in Colorado built before 1951 that remain in active service. These structures are 75+ years old — many predate modern engineering codes and were not designed for today's traffic volumes and vehicle weights. The average design life of a bridge is 50 years, making these aging structures a significant infrastructure concern.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
SOUTH PLUM CREEK Colorado Poor 1950 76 15
AMITY CANAL Colorado Fair 1950 76 176
FT. LYON CANAL Colorado Fair 1950 76 26
SIX MILE CREEK Colorado Fair 1950 76 108
MONTE VISTA CANAL Colorado Fair 1950 76 142
BIG DRY CREEK Colorado Fair 1950 76 5,444
Ditch Colorado Good 1950 76 961

About Historic Bridge Data

Bridges built before 1951 are classified as historic in this database. Many were designed to 1940s standards with lower load limits and narrower lanes. While FHWA requires regular inspections of all bridges regardless of age, older structures often require more frequent monitoring and rehabilitation investment.